Spike the Mixed Breed (Tabby) Cat

Published on Jan 1st, 2008

By Wallis Miller (Location Unknown)

Spike came into my life in 1987. His mother was abandoned in my yard, taped into a cardboard box. I took the young, scared and very pregnant kitty into my home, and three days later, she gave birth to six kittens. The first was still-born -- poor mommy kitty wasn't sure what to do, so I helped deliver the next one. I held him in my hands, cleaned his face and got him breathing, and for the next 18 years, he was my boy and constant and boon companion. Beautiful, gentle and gregarious, Spike formed friendships with my friends on his own terms, but gave his heart to 'mommy'.

On March 7th, 2005, Spike had to leave me. I held him in my arms and whispered "You're my boy and I love you", as the vet released him from his pain, and kept my promise to him that I would be there at the end, just as I was there to welcome my best friend into the world.